Amtrak video: "We're Becoming a Transportation Powerhouse"

[Harmon Shay]

You have a far different experience than me. Most trips I have taken the cafe car is not open until Providence RI, many times after that station.


I'll give them 1 table. That should be more than enough. Amtrak policy states 1 table unless there is no overhead luggage storage:

https://www.amtrak.com/content/dam/...-service-standards-manual-101424-redacted.pdf

View attachment 38609



Again, when I was on the Caledonian Sleeper in Scotland there were 2 attendants and it worked well. One person serving tables one person preparing meals and serving take aways.

Having a server for tables could help alleviate this. Also I have been on many NER where the conductor stated that the the cafe tables were for eating and drinking.

Someone should make the commissary aware. Does the commissary know that a train is sold out and thus maybe increase stock? Somehow I doubt it.

I saw this on service on the regionals for a time and it seemed to work. Sounds like they may have had the wrong cart or forgot how this was done before. This is also done on many trains overseas, it is not a new concept.

I think it could be done if done well. Not everyone will use it but right now the cafe tables are used just for the lucky few and Amtrak staff. I think the present set-up is not being utilized for maximum revenue.

Last I heard, cart service was supposed to be available on the Airo Cascades food service cars in some form, along with regular cafe service with tables.

 

[Qapla]

Instead of listening to each other and their own opinions, maybe they should listen to their customers/riders ... they might be surprised to find that what they (Amtrak) thinks differs greatly from what the paying public thinks.

 

[Cal]

Conductors obviously do have a lot of work. But I don't see why they need that much space. On Metrolink, conductors have a very small space for their work and they tend to keep it all confined there. Now, there is only one conductor on Metrolink, but the table is not a full table size. If they can do it for every single Metrolink train, I think it is feasible to make it work for Amtrak.